Chapter 2
Reality is Just the Beginning
Pain lanced through his temples, sharp and immediate. Levi’s hands flew to the sides of the headset, fingers scrambling against the smooth surface.
His body tensed, spine arching against the gaming chair. The neural ribbons seemed to tighten, pulsing with energy that burrowed deeper into his consciousness. Levi’s vision swam, reality dissolving around the edges.
“This can’t be normal,” he gasped, his words slurring. “I should—”
The walls of his apartment stretched and warped. Colors bled together, swirling like paint down a drain. Levi’s stomach lurched as the sensation of falling overtook him. He squeezed his eyes shut against the vertigo.
When he opened them, everything changed.
Sunlight dappled through a canopy of ancient trees.
The air smelled of pine and damp earth, so crisp and clean it made his lungs ache with the sweetness of it.
Wind rustled leaves overhead, sending patterns of light dancing across the forest floor.
Levi stood in a small clearing, surrounded by wilderness that stretched in every direction.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, turning in a slow circle. “This is... remarkable.”
His eyes traced the bark of a nearby oak, noting the intricate patterns carved by time and weather, the tiny insects crawling along its surface.
He reached out, fingertips brushing against the rough texture.
The sensation felt real—every ridge and groove as it should, the coolness of shadow-touched bark against his skin.
“This feels real.” Levi looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers in amazement.
They responded without lag, without disconnection.
Even the sensation of air moving between his fingers felt authentic.
“I can’t believe technology has come this far.
Though knowing my luck, this is the one game that’ll actually give me poison ivy. ”
He scanned the environment for a health bar, a compass, or any kind of user interface. Nothing appeared. Just pure, unfiltered forest stretching endlessly around him.
“They really went all-in on the immersion,” he murmured, taking a tentative step forward.
The ground felt solid beneath his feet, pine needles crunching with satisfying realism.
Dead leaves rustled against his shoes. “No UI at all. Just... pure experience. Great. The one time I need a tutorial and they go full artsy on me.”
A bird called somewhere in the distance, its song echoing through the trees. Levi turned toward the sound, then paused. He couldn’t hear the hum of his refrigerator anymore, or the traffic outside his apartment window.
“Wow. They’ve blocked out the real world. I can’t hear anything from my apartment.”
He raised his hands to feel for the headset, but his fingers met only his hair. He patted his face, his neck, finding nothing but his own skin.
A twig snapped somewhere behind him. Levi turned around, more curious than alarmed.
Nothing there. Just more trees, shadows growing longer as the sun began its descent toward the horizon.
“Motion sensors, maybe?” he wondered aloud. “Environmental randomization to keep things feeling alive?”
The forest had grown quieter, the bird calls fading to occasional chirps. The wind picked up, carrying a chill that raised goosebumps along his arms. The sensation was so authentic it made him shiver.
“This is extraordinary,” he said, rubbing his arms. “I mean, literally unreal, but it feels...”
He trailed off, trying to remember if there had been instructions for exiting the game in all that technical documentation. Everything had been so complex, so far beyond his usual experience with simple gaming setups.
Another twig snapped, closer this time. Levi’s attention sharpened, a flicker of nervousness cutting through his wonder.
“Hello?” His voice sounded small in the vastness of the forest.
“Levi! There you are, man!”
A lanky figure in a faded beanie emerged from between two towering pines, arms spread wide in greeting. “We thought you’d wandered off to commune with nature or something.”
Levi stared at the approaching man, recognition blooming in his mind. Based on the rumpled clothes, the perpetually relaxed expression, and his bloodshot eyes, this had to be the stoner.
“Jasper?” Levi ventured, testing the name based on what he remembered.
“The one and only.” Jasper grinned, offering the bag of trail mix. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, dude. The forest getting to you already?”
Before Levi could respond, two more figures appeared behind Jasper. One wore glasses and a t-shirt that looked lived-in, while the other moved with casual confidence, wearing what looked like expensive new outdoor gear.
“Did you find him?” The one in glasses adjusted his backpack nervously. “We need to get back to camp before dark. I read that this area has some of the highest rates of—”
“Jesus, Owen, give it a rest.” The well-dressed one cut him off with an eye roll. “My family’s owned this mountain for generations. Nobody’s getting lost on my watch.”
Levi’s mind reeled. These characters knew him. They were treating him like he belonged here, like he’d come camping with them. The immersion was beyond anything he’d imagined possible.
This is astounding. They’re acting like real people.
“Sorry,” he said louder, finding his voice. “I just needed some air.”
Jasper laughed, a warm sound that seemed to bounce off the trees. “Air? We’re in the middle of a forest, man. That’s like, all there is.”
“You know what I mean.” Levi glanced down at his clothes—the same jeans and hoodie he’d been wearing in his apartment. Even the small coffee stain on his sleeve was reproduced. Because even in virtual reality, I can’t escape my poor life choices. “Just... taking it all in.”
The well-dressed one, Elliot, if he remembered the NPC guide correctly, looked him up and down with mild disdain. “You could have borrowed something more appropriate, but I suppose what you have will do.”
“Come on,” Owen urged, checking his watch. “The others are waiting, and it’s going to be dark soon.”
They led Levi through the forest, following what appeared to be a well-worn trail. Owen rattled off a steady stream of facts about local wildlife, while Jasper occasionally pointed out cloud formations with the enthusiasm of someone discovering them for the first time.
The AI programming was flawless. Each character moved with natural fluidity, their personalities distinct and engaging. Levi found himself responding to their conversation almost automatically, drawn into the reality they presented
They crested a small hill, and their campsite came into view. Three tents formed a triangle around a stone-ringed fire pit where a tall, athletic figure was arranging kindling.
“Finally!” The muscular guy called out, standing and dusting off his hands. “I was starting to wonder if you’d decided to sleep under the stars.”
A woman with practical hiking boots and a sensible ponytail looked up from organizing supplies near one of the tents. “I told you they were fine,” she said, offering Levi a reassuring smile. “Though you had us a little worried when you wandered off like that.”
“Levi!” A flash of bright purple and pink hair bounded toward him and, without warning, she threw her arms around his neck in an enthusiastic hug. “Timing! I just broke out the good stuff.” She pulled back with a mischievous grin, producing a small flask from her jacket. “Who wants the first sip?”
The scent of her perfume lingered in the air, floral with hints of vanilla and spice.
“You okay?” The practical woman, Zoe, asked, studying his face with gentle concern. “You look a little overwhelmed.”
“I’m fine,” Levi managed, still marveling at the naturalness of their interactions. “Just... processing everything.”
At least the AI gave me friends. In real life, I’d be the guy hearing about the trip after it was over.
The athletic guy clapped his hands together. “Well, stop processing and start helping. We need firewood before it gets dark, and I’m not stumbling around these woods with a flashlight when the fire gets low.”
As the group dispersed to their various tasks, Levi hung back, watching them move around the campsite with comfortable ease. They all knew each other. They all knew him. The game created a complete social world and dropped him seamlessly into the middle of it.
“This is beyond astounding,” he whispered to the stream. “It’s like I’m actually here with real people.”
He patted his pockets absently, then paused. No phone. No wallet. Just his clothes and whatever backstory with these people the game had assigned him.
“Levi! You coming or what?” Jasper called from the edge of the clearing. “We need that firewood before it gets dark, man.”
Levi looked up from his contemplation, then froze. Behind Jasper, partially obscured by the thick trunk of a pine tree, a tall figure stood motionless in the shadows. Someone was watching them, his posture unnaturally still with his head tilted as if listening to their conversation.
A chill crept down Levi’s spine. His pulse quickened, some primitive part of his brain recognizing a predator’s patience. The figure was too far away to make out clearly, but something about his silhouette felt wrong.
“Jasper,” Levi’s voice cracked. “Who’s that behind you?”
Jasper turned, following his gaze. “Who’s what now?”
The space behind him stood empty. Just trees and lengthening shadows.
“I thought I saw someone,” Levi said, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the figure had been. “A man, just... standing there.”
“Probably just the light playing tricks,” Jasper said with a shrug. “Forest shadows can look like all sorts of things, especially when you’re not used to it.”
Right. It’s a horror game. They’re just building atmosphere. Setting up the scares. Because nothing says ‘enjoy our beta test’ like phantom stalkers in the woods.
“Coming,” he called, jogging over to join Jasper. “Let’s get that firewood before whatever’s lurking in these woods decides we look interesting.”
Jasper laughed. “That’s the spirit! Nothing like a little paranoia to spice up a camping trip.”
But as they walked toward the tree line, Levi couldn’t shake the feeling that somewhere in the deepening shadows, something was still watching them. Waiting.